Aug 242025
 

1994 Travers 

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Nicholas Godfrey – ‘This is the horse of a lifetime’ – Sovereignty only one point off #1 world rankings spot after Travers romp

TDN – Tim Wilkin – Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Sovereignty’s Next Goal Will be a Classic

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – With Travers Complete, Classic Test Awaits Sovereignty

Lola

1994 Pacific Classic

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Journalism, Fierceness Ready for Pacific Classic Test

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Bloodhorse – Bob Ehalt – Sovereignty Continues Reign With Travers Romp

TDN – Steve Sherack – Travers King: Sovereignty Romps in Midsummer Derby

Paulick Report – Chelsea Hackbarth – ‘We Are Witnessing Greatness’: Sovereignty Reigns In Travers

Lord, what fools these mortals be!

William Shakespeare

Phil has a question:

In the Travers the conditions said that the $1,250,000.00  purse for the DraftKings Travers shall be divided as follows: $687,500 to the owner of the winner, $250,000 to second, $150,000 to third, $75,000 to fourth, $50,000 to fifth and 37,500 divided equally amongst the remaining finishers. With only 5 horses going to post and the chart showing Available Money: $1,250,000 Value of Race: $1,212,500 1st $687,500, 2nd $250,000, 3rd $150,000, 4th $75,000, 5th $50,000

Where did the $37,500.00 go. 

Do we need to hire fino all’ultimo fagiolo forensic accounting.

John Ropes’ homebred Dorth Vader certainly lost nothing in defeat, rebounding from a fourth-place finish in the July 19 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park for trainer George Weaver and jockey John Velazquez.

“It was a great race,” Weaver said. “Unfortunately, I’m on the losing end of the photo, but all in all, I think Dorth Vader validated her status in this division and we’re looking forward to going to the Breeders’ Cup.”

The Breeders’ Cup will likely give Dorth Vader another shot at Thorpedo Anna, who earned an automatic, fees-paid berth to the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1 with her victory thanks to the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. The filly won the race last year at age 3.

Bloodhorse – Thorpedo Anna Wins Head Bob in Personal Ensign Thriller

Of the heartbreaking photo which did not go his way, George Waver admits he thought it would go in the other direction. “I actually thought she got her nose down and won. When they threw the photo up and I watched the replay, I thought, ‘oh no, we got nosed.’”

“It was a great race. Unfortunately, I’m on the losing end of the photo but all in all, I think Dorth Vader validated her status in this division and we’re looking forward to going to the Breeders’ Cup. I lost my voice cheering. Thorpedo Anna is a great filly, we almost got her. I’m looking forward to the rematch.”

TDN – Patrycja Szpyra Drama Worthy of the Namesake – Thorpedo Anna Claims ‘WAYI’ Personal Ensign

When Thorpedo Anna hit the top of the stretch she was confronted by Dorth Vader on her outside, and the two started to pull away from the field. They battled down the lane, but Thorpedo Anna was game on the inside, eventually getting her nose on the wire in a photo finish. Dorth Vader put in a valiant effort for second. Leslie’s Rose was nearly ten lengths back in third, and Raging Sea closed for fourth. Dazzling Move finished fifth, and Randomized sixth, and Bernietakescharge seventh.

Paulick Report – Mike Davey – ‘She Just Shows How Brave She Is’: Thorpedo Anna Holds Off Dorth Vader In Personal Ensign

One of Phil’s favourite name horses: Dorth Vader, the  John Ropes Florida homebred, surpassed the million dollar mark with earnings of $1,018,218 when he just got nosed out by Thorpedo Anna on Saturday August 23, 2025 in the GI Personal Ensign Stakes going 1 1/8 miles on the Saratoga dirt for Fillies and Mares 4 Year Olds And Up with a Purse of  $500,000 .

Dorth Vader is by Girvin (Tale of Ekati) out of the Yonaguska mare Hardcore Candy who was campaigned in Alberta by Darrell Landry and then Amber Buniak and Ryan McLean. Hardcore Candy won 8 races from 40 starts with 8 seconds and 4 thirds, earning $101,308. She was Stakes placed in the Freedom of the City Stakes (Black Type) at Northlands Park.

Hardcore Candy Progeny

Bloodhorse – Karen M. Johnson – Hope Road Most Impressive in Ballerina Stakes

TDN – Bill Finley – Book ‘Em Danno Connections Wrestling with Breeders’ Cup Decision

Phil has a question:

If your horse wins a WAYI to the Breeder’s Cup dirt mile and you take the WAYI money then pre-enter both the dirt mile and the Sprint and run in the Sprint would the the Breeders Cup people hire fino all’ultimo fagiolo forensic accounting and demand the WAYI money back.

Will Derek Ryan be back with the Oilers next season.

Money’s Too Tight To Mention

Bloodhorse – Sean Collins – Book’em Danno Sweeps Saratoga Sprints with Forego Win

Book’em Danno

TDN – Alan Carasso – Bucchero’s Book’em Danno A Forego-ne Conclusion

Book’em Danno

Paulick Report – Book’em Danno Charges To Forego Victory

Bloodhorse – Tracy Gantz – Dr. Venkman Rides Rail Path to Win Pat O’Brien

TDN – Jill Williams – Dr. Venkman Wins Pat O’Brien, Earns BC Dirt Mile Berth

Spirits In The Material World

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Patch Adams Adds Another Grade 1 in H. Allen Jerkens

TDN – Steve Sherack – ‘Rising Star’ Patch Adams Rides Rail to Game Allen Jerkens Memorial Victory

Paulick Report – Patch Adams Holds On In H. Allen Jerkens Thriller

Bloodhorse – Teresa – Genaro – May Day Ready Holds Sway in Lake Placid Stakes

Bloodhorse – Olivia Newman – Take Charge Tom Romps in Canadian Derby

Horse Racing Nation – Take Charge Tom takes lead in stretch to win Canadian Derby

DRF – May Rampellini – Take Charge Tom has no problem with distance in Canadian Derby

On Track Wagering Handle: $298,799
Off Track Wagering Handle: $1,419,240
Total Handle: $1,718,014

$281,986 short of their goal of $2,000,000.00 plus.

Phil has a question:

Is that what happens when you take marketing lessons from the Undertaker, Clark Kent and TarPaulin,


Phil M. Stockmen

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